**I do not own any of these characters. Just having fun with stories and the imagination that fuels them. This story is a continuation of my previous Reluctance stories in case you need to gloss those over. Thanks for stopping by and giving it a read if you like. Oh, and there are sure to be inaccuracies...spoilers, am I right?**
"Please." she said.
"No." he replied.
"Tony, don't be stubborn." she said.
"Stubborn? How about protecting you or maybe, saving your life." he said.
"I can help him." she said. "That's why I'm here."
"I've called in professionals." he said.
"I am a professional." she said firmly.
"One that is too close to be objective." said Tony.
"Enough." said T'Challa. "She has been asked me be to be a part of this, by me."
"A word?" said Tony looking at T'Challa.
"No." said T'Challa.
Tony was silent. "Ok, I'll let my team know." he said smugly.
"As will he." said T'Challa pointing.
Ella turned to see a man emerge from a darkened doorway. As the light made his presence known she saw the familiar features. As she saw his blue eyes she stood frozen. It had been so long. She was left to wonder what had become of the exiled hero. Her friend.
"Of course," said Tony. Ella could see he held back at his own relief to see Steve Rogers. "Good to see you, Rogers."
"He will need his shield. " said T'Challa.
"Well, El, guess you won't have just me to yell at about being over overprotective." said Tony. "I'll make some calls to get that shield. "
Ella could tell it was a poor excuse to remove himself.
"El," started Steve.
"I will give you two a moment." said T'Challa.
"Thank you." said Steve.
As he walked towards her she looked over at the cryogenic Bucky and then back to the bearded Steve who stood before her.
"Guess staying in the shadows doesn't allow for shaving, huh?" she attempted to joke.
"Yeah," he chuckled. "I am sorry,"
"No, there is no need for apologies. You did what you had to." she smiled at him.
"But it's not what I wanted to do." he said.
"Duty always trumps what you want, Steve." she said.
He stepped closer and embraced her taking her by surprise. The emotion broke loose, and she held to him and wept.
"This is why I'm sorry." he said holding her tight as he felt her sobs. She abruptly pulled back and angrily wiped her tears. She felt weak and she hated that.
He watched her with concern. "I've been fine. I am just glad to see you are."
"I kept tabs on you." he said.
"Really? A bit creepy." she said drying her eyes.
"You quit your career." he said.
She looked at him surprised at his words. "Yeah, well," she sighed. "When you can't help the one person who matters most," she paused feeling the emotions. She took a deep breath, shaking her head as she looked to Bucky then Steve, "you tend to question what good you are to anyone else."
Steve stepped closer.
"No." she said stepping back. "I mean, I don't need any more hugs, ok. It was my decision."
"You made a difference. You gave him hope." he said.
"False ones." she said. "I'm here to consulting and will be here when he wakes up, but that's it. I can't promise him or you anything further."
"Neither of us put conditions on what we expected of you. You tried, you cared, what more could we ask for." he said taking a step towards her. "He loves you."
"That's nice." she said.
He furrowed his brow in confusion.
"I care about him, that's just," she paused, "look, we just can't be together."
"You don't know that." he said.
"And neither do you." she said. Her memory was sketchy but her talk with Stephen Strange brought back some details. He would not reveal any details as he said it would do more harm than good in terms of the universe. She found most of her discussions with him a bit odd. She found it hard to believe she had any dealings that would be of universal concern. Something of the past and being close to Bucky caused a warning within her. She was unsure if to follow that feeling or steer clear. She decided to heed the internal warning and steer clear. But she loved him. She just knew she did.
"Excuse me guys." said Tony peering in through the doorway. "My team is here and evidently that means you two are meant to be in on that."
Ella looked at Steve as Tony stepped into the room.
"El, are you ok?" he said noting her red eyes. "Did Steve hurt you?"
Steve glared at Tony.
"Tony, seriously?" she asked.
"It's the beard." said Tony looking at Steve. "You look angry unshaven."
"Where is the meeting?" asked Ella trying to diffuse whatever thought train Tony was boarding.
"Uh, down the hall second door to the left." he said.
A mechanized whirring echoed in the room as the table which held the encased Bucky tilted back and came to a horizontal resting position.
Ella watched with concern. She looked at Steve then to Tony. "What was that?"
"They have decided to begin reversing the cryogenic state now. And don't blame me. T'Challa weighed in on that one."